About Me

Hi, my name is Erika, and I have been a member of two different bands. I have found that keeping a band together involves a delicate balance of several elements. You have to continue being excited about the same type of music, you have to practise and try new things together and you have to mesh on an emotional level. This can be hard, and if you are a temperamental and emotional musician like me, it can be even more challenging. Since I have experience, I decided to create this blog. It has tips on making music, being a band and staying together. Please explore these posts. I hope you enjoy them.

Keeping the Band Together: A Blog for Musicians

Posted by admin on 11:50 am in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Factors to Consider when Buying a Digital Kawai Piano

Next to the human voice, the piano is one of the most versatile musical instruments on the market. There are many types of pianos, but the most common ones are digital and acoustic pianos and synthesizers/workstations. Acoustic pianos are the conventional and oldest piano versions, which work by activating a hammer that strikes the relevant string to produce sound when a key is pressed. This is why pianos are considered percussion instruments. Digital pianos are electronic versions of acoustic pianos and they use digital technology to produce sound when keys are pressed. While acoustic pianos are widely loved as the ‘real pianos’, digital pianos are becoming increasingly popular since they are more portable, less expensive and have a vast array of features for sound modification. The following are important considerations to make if you’re looking to purchase a digital piano, like Kawai pianos: 1. Number of keys Digital pianos may have as few as 20 keys right up to the maximum 88 keys (52 white, 36 black). However, common smaller keyboards have either 61 or 76 keys and are recommended for beginners and travelling pianists who need greater portability. However, bear in mind that a full 88-key piano is needed when you’re playing more complex classical or jazz pieces. Consider the level of complexity of your music as well as any portability or space restrictions when choosing your digital Kawai piano. 2. Action This is a term used to characterize the key-bed response. There are weighted or semi-weighted key-beds whose responses mimic those of conventional acoustic pianos. For an even more authentic acoustic sound, you can go for pianos with hammer action keys. Conversely, you can choose pianos that have ‘organ action’ or ‘synth action’, which have no resistance on the keys. Therefore, they are better when playing quick successions of complex music pieces such as the riffs in pop songs. However, getting used to organ/snyth action pianos will make transitions into acoustic pianos more difficult. That is why this system is usually used for workstations and synthesizers only. 3. Velocity sensitivity This applies to the ability of a digital piano to detect and interpret subtle changes in velocity, which affects the volume and articulation of keys on depression. Naturally, a piano with higher sensitivity is desirable since it will be more touch-responsive. This will enable the player to have an easier transition into playing acoustic pianos and to achieve a higher sense of musicality. 4. Tonality The tonality of a digital piano is enabled by a user-interface program which allows the player to control different aspects, including tones. Often, digital pianos will come with hundreds of different tones/sounds, which in itself should not be a determining factor. The real value of a digital piano is in the quality of these sounds, which will be determined by the quality of material used in construction, the craftsmanship, quality of the interface software and the addition of features such as hammer action and weighted keys. Rather than being wooed by hundreds of tones you won’t use, focus on the quality of tones that will be used most...

Posted by admin on 4:45 am in Uncategorized | Comments Off on A Quick Buyer’s Guide for Saxophones

Before you buy any musical instrument online, you want to ensure that you understand the best type to look for so that you make the right decision. This is important since you can’t test out the instrument before you purchase it so you know if it’s of high quality and will perform as it should. Note a few factors about buying a saxophone over the internet so you know you get the right type and buy one that will work for you. 1. Rods The rods of the saxophone are long pieces that are supported by the body, and these are very important. Weak rods will mean a saxophone that doesn’t last very long, as these facilitate all the movement of the keys and everything else related to playing the instrument. When shopping for a saxophone online, note the material of the rods. If the instrument is gold but the rods are silver, this often means that it’s a student saxophone and not one meant to stand up to constant use by a professional. Invest in a saxophone that has strong material used for the rods so you know it will last. 2. Pads The pads are what cover the holes of a saxophone so that different sounds can be produced. If they are loose-fitting or not made of high-quality material, the sound of the saxophone will be compromised. Look for pads made of leather that are then covered with a metal disc. The leather will allow for a more secure fit over the hole, and the metal will help to add weight to keep the hole covered. If the pads are made of cheap plastic, this might mean a more affordable saxophone but one that is not high-quality. 3. Lacquer Saxophones are usually covered in a type of lacquer, or they may actually be painted with a type of paint usually used on car bodies. This lacquer is usually made just for appearances and to protect the saxophone from small dents and nicks, so you can often choose a coating according to what you want the saxophone to look like. Rarely does the coating affect the sound quality of the saxophone; although, if you want to ensure a pure sound, you might invest in a lacquer or coating that is actually baked onto the instrument and not simply painted on. Remember these three important factors when buying a saxophone online so you know you invest in a quality instrument that will last. For more information, contact a business such as The Music...